Civic official loses Rs18,000 to cyber thieves near Mumbai

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An officer with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) lost around Rs18,000 to cyber thieves on Wednesday after she furnished her bank details to an unknown caller.

Veena Chupekar, 39, works with the rural development department of Cidco.

On December 1, she received a phone call from an unknown number, the police said.

The caller introduced himself as a bank official and then asked for some personal details of her credit card.

“Taking him to be a genuine banker, the officer gave the details. Within a few hours, she got a text message that Rs17,899 was withdrawn from her card,” said a police officer from Kharghar police station.

“She then contacted her bank and they too confirmed the withdrawal of the amount. It was only then she realised that she made a mistake by giving her details to that unknown person on phone,” he said.

After verifying all the details, the police registered a case under the relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. However, they have not been able to trace the culprit so far.

“It’s a common mistake made by most people. One should never give any details such as date of birth, credit card or debit card number, bank account number, PIN and so on to anyone on phone or reply to e-mails asking for them,” said Ankush Khedekar, police inspector from the Navi Mumbai cyber cell.

“Banks do not ask for these details ,” he said.

“If it is necessary to share such details with the banks, one should visit the nearest branch and give the details to the officials concerned,” Khedekar said.

The police have been conducting meetings at different places of the city to create awareness among the people.

They are also giving safety tips to the city residents.

“We have also conducted seminars in schools and colleges. When students become aware of such frauds and crimes, they can also educate their family members,” Khedekar said.